K-ASSAY 

KAMIYA BIOMEDICAL COMPANY

KAMIYA BIOMEDICAL COMPANY

Mouse Transferrin ELISA
For the quantitative determination of transferrin
in mouse biological samples

Cat. No. KT-348

For Research Use Only.

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KAMIYA BIOMEDICAL COMPANYPRODUCT INFORMATION

Mouse Transferrin ELISA
Cat. No. KT-348
INTENDED USE
The Mouse Transferrin ELISA is a highly sensitive two-site enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the quantitative
determination of transferrin in mouse biological samples. For research use only.

INTRODUCTIONTransferrin is a metal-combining protein that reversibly binds to acid-soluble iron in plasma. It functions to transport ironto the bone marrow and to tissue storage organs such as the liver. Transferrin also participates in the regulation andcontrol of iron absorption and protects against iron intoxication. Like haptoglobin, the carrier of hemoglobin, transferrin issynthesized in the liver, but unlike haptoglobin, transferrin is returned to the circulation after unloading its iron in thereticuloendothelial system. This ELISA can be used to measure transferrin in serum, tissue extracts and other biologicalfluids.

PRINCIPLE
The principle of the double antibody sandwich ELISA is represented in Figure 1. In this assay the transferrin present insamples reacts with the anti-transferrin antibodies, which have been adsorbed to the surface of polystyrene microtiterwells. After the removal of unbound proteins by washing, anti-transferrin antibodies conjugated with horseradish
peroxidase (HRP), are added. This HRP-conjugated antibody forms a complex with the previously bound transferrin.
Following another washing step, the enzyme bound to the immunosorbent is assayed by the addition of a chromogenic
substrate, 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The quantity of bound enzyme is proportional to the concentration oftransferrin in the sample tested; thus, the absorbance, at 450 nm, is a measure of the concentration of transferrin in thetest sample. The quantity of transferrin in the test sample can be interpolated from the calibration curve constructed fromthe calibrators, and corrected for sample dilution.

Figure 1.
Anti-Transferrin Antibodies Bound To Solid Phase│
Calibrators and Samples Added│
Transferrin * Anti-Transferrin Complexes Formed│
Unbound Sample Proteins Removed│
Anti-Transferrin-HRP Conjugate Added│
Anti-Transferrin-HRP * Transferrin * Anti-Transferrin
Complexes Formed│
Unbound Anti-Transferrin-HRP Removed│
TMB Substrate Added│
Determine Bound Enzyme Activity

COMPONENTS
1. Diluent Concentrate
One bottle containing 50 mL of a 5X concentrated diluent running buffer.
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2. Wash Solution Concentrate
One bottle containing 50 mL of a 20X concentrated wash solution.
3. Enzyme-Antibody Conjugate Concentrate
One vial containing 150 µL of a 100X concentrated affinity-purified anti-mouse transferrin antibody conjugated withHRP in a stabilizing buffer.
4. TMB Substrate Solution
One bottle containing 12 mL of TMB and hydrogen peroxide in citric acid buffer at pH 3.3.
5. Stop Solution
One bottle containing 12 mL of 0.3 M sulfuric acid.
WARNING: Avoid contact with skin.
6. Microtiter Plate
Twelve removable eight-well strips in well holder frame. Wells are coated with affinity-purified anti-mouse transferrin.
7. Mouse Transferrin Calibrator
One vial containing a lyophilized Mouse Transferrin Calibrator.
8. Positive Control
One vial containing 50 µL of serum with 0.1% sodium azide. See the Control Certificate for the concentration.

MATERIALS REQUIRED BUT NOT PROVIDED•••••••••

Test tubes
Precision pipettes (2 µL to 200 µL) for making and dispensing dilutions
Squirt bottle or Microplate washer/aspirator
Distilled or de-ionized H2O
Microplate reader
Assorted glassware for the preparation of reagents and buffer solutions
Timer
Centrifuge for sample collection
Anticoagulant for plasma collection

PRECAUTIONS
1. Read the instructions carefully before beginning the assay.
2. This kit is for research use only.
3. Great care has been taken to ensure the quality and reliability of this product. However, it is possible that in certain
cases, unusual results may be obtained due to high levels of interfering factors.
4. Preservatives
 Positive Control contains 0.1% sodium azide.
5. Azide and thimerosal at concentrations higher than 0.1% inhibit the enzyme reaction.
6. Other precautions: Do not interchange kit components from different lots.
 Do not use kit components beyond the expiration date.
 Protect reagents from direct sunlight.
 Do not pipette by mouth.
 Do not eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics where reagents are used.
 Avoid all contact with the reagents by using gloves.
 Stop solution contains diluted sulfuric acid. Irritation to eyes and skin is possible. Flush with water aftercontact.

REAGENT PREPARATION
1. Diluent Concentrate
The Diluent solution supplied is a 5X concentrate and must be diluted 1:5 with distilled or de-ionized water.
2. Wash Solution Concentrate
The Wash Solution supplied is a 20X concentrate and must be diluted 1:20 with distilled or de-ionized water. Crystal
formation in the concentrate is not uncommon when storage temperatures are low. Warming of the concentrate to30-35°C before dilution can dissolve crystals.

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3. Enzyme-Antibody Conjugate Concentrate
Calculate the required amount of working conjugate solution for each microtiter plate test strip by adding 10 µL
Enzyme-Antibody Conjugate to 990 µL of 1X Diluent for each test strip to be used for testing. Mix uniformly, but gently.
Avoid foaming. Dilute immediately before use and protect from light.
4. TMB Substrate Solution
Ready to use as supplied.
5. Stop Solution
Ready to use as supplied.
6. Microtiter Plate
Ready to use as supplied. Unseal Microtiter Pouch and remove plate from pouch. Remove all strips and wells that will
not be used in the assay and place back in pouch and re-seal along with desiccant.
7. Mouse Transferrin Calibrator
Add 1.0 mL of distilled or de-ionized water to the lyophilized Mouse Transferrin Calibrator and mix gently until
dissolved. The calibrator is now at a concentration of 8.70 µg/mL (the reconstituted calibrator should be aliquoted andfrozen if future use is intended). Prepare the Mouse Transferrin Calibrators immediately prior to use according to thetable below. Mix well between each step. Avoid foaming.

Calibrator

Concentration(ng/mL)

6100

5432
1050
25
12.5
6.25
3.130Calibrator Volumeadded to1X Diluent
10 µL Mouse Transferrin
Calibrator
300 µL Calibrator 6300 µL Calibrator 5300 µL Calibrator 4300 µL Calibrator 3300 µL Calibrator 2

Volume of 1X Diluent
860 µL300 µL
300 µL
300 µL
300 µL
300 µL
600 µL8. Positive Control
The concentration and recommended dilution are provided on the Control Certificate. Before use, briefly centrifuge thePositive Control to allow all of the liquid to collect in the bottom of the vial.

STORAGE AND STABILITY
1. Complete Kit
The expiration date for the kit is stated on the outer label. The recommended storage temperature is 4°C. Note: Seelong-term storage recommendations below for the Mouse Transferrin Calibrator and Positive Control.
2. Diluent
The 5X Diluent Concentrate is stable until the expiration date. The 1X working solution is stable for at least one weekfrom the date of preparation. Both solutions should be stored at 4°C.
3. Wash Solution
The 20X Wash Solution Concentrate is stable until the expiration date. The 1X working solution is stable for at least
one week from the date of preparation. Both solutions should be stored at 4°C.
4. Enzyme-Antibody Conjugate
Undiluted anti-transferrin-HRP conjugate should be stored at 4°C in the dark and diluted immediately prior to use. The
undiluted conjugate solution is stable until the expiration date.
5. TMB Substrate Solution
The TMB Substrate Solution should be stored at 4°C in the dark and is stable until the expiration date. Protect fromlight.
6. Stop Solution
The Stop Solution should be stored at 4°C and is stable until the expiration date.

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7. Microtiter Plate
Anti-mouse transferrin coated wells are stable until the expiration date and should be stored at 4°C in the sealed foil
pouch with a desiccant pack.
8. Mouse Transferrin Calibrator
The lyophilized Mouse Transferrin Calibrator should be stored at 4°C or frozen until reconstituted. The reconstitutedcalibrator should be aliquoted and stored frozen. Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles. The working calibrator solutions
should be prepared immediately prior to use.
9. Positive Control
For storage longer than 7 days keep frozen until the expiration date. Storage less than 7 days can be at 4°C. Avoid
multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

INDICATIONS OF INSTABILITY
If the test is performing correctly, the results observed with the calibrator solutions should be within 20% of the expectedvalues.

SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING
Blood should be collected by venipuncture and the serum separated from the cells, after clot formation, by centrifugation.
For plasma samples, blood should be collected into a container with an anticoagulant and then centrifuged. Care should
be taken to minimize hemolysis, excessive hemolysis can impact your results. Assay immediately or aliquot and store
samples at -20°C. Avoid repeated freezing/thawing.
For any sample that might contain pathogens, care must be taken to prevent contact with open wounds.

ASSAY PROTOCOL
Dilution of Samples
The assay for quantification of Transferrin in samples requires that each test sample be diluted before use. For a single
step determination a dilution of 1:100,000 is appropriate for most serum/plasma samples. For absolute quantification ofsamples that yield results outside the range of the calibration curve, a lesser or greater dilution might be required. If
unsure of sample level, a serial dilution with one or two representative samples before running the entire plate ishighly recommended.
To prepare a 1:100,000 dilution of sample, transfer 5 µL of sample to 1,995 µL of 1X Diluent. This gives you a 1:400dilution. Next, dilute the 1:400 sample by transferring 4 µL to 996 µL of 1X Diluent. You now have a 1:100,000 dilution ofyour sample. Mix thoroughly at each stage.

Procedure
1. Bring all reagents to RT before use.
2. The Calibrators and the test sample(s) should be loaded into the ELISA wells as quickly as possible to avoid a shift in
OD readings. Using a multichannel pipette would reduce this occurrence.
Pipette 100 μL ofCalibrator 0 (0.0 ng/mL) in duplicate
Calibrator 1 (3.13 ng/mL) in duplicate
Calibrator 2 (6.25 ng/mL) in duplicate
Calibrator 3 (12.5 ng/mL) in duplicate
Calibrator 4 (25 ng/mL) in duplicate
Calibrator 5 (50 ng/mL) in duplicate
Calibrator 6 (100 ng/mL) in duplicate
3. Pipette 100 μL of diluted Positive Control (in duplicate) into pre designated wells.
4. Pipette 100 μL of sample (in duplicate) into pre designated wells.
5. Incubate the Microtiter Plate at 22°C (RT) for thirty (30 ± 2) minutes. Keep plate covered and level during incubation.
6. Following incubation, aspirate the contents of the wells.

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7. Completely fill each well with appropriately diluted Wash Solution and aspirate. Repeat three times, for a total of fourwashes. If washing manually: completely fill wells with diluted Wash Solution, invert the plate and pour/shake out thecontents in a waste container. Follow this by sharply striking the wells on absorbent paper to remove residual WashSolution. Repeat three times for a total of four washes.
8. Pipette 100 μL of appropriately diluted Enzyme-Antibody Conjugate to each well. Incubate at 22°C (RT) for thirty (30 ±2) minutes. Keep plate covered in the dark and level during incubation.
9. Wash and blot the wells as described in Steps 6 and 7.
10. Pipette 100 μL of TMB Substrate Solution into each well.
11. Incubate in the dark at RT for precisely ten (10) minutes.
12. After ten minutes, add 100 μL of Stop Solution to each well.
13. Determine the absorbance at 450 nm of the contents of each well within 30 minutes. Calibrate the plate reader tomanufacturer’s specifications.
The absorbance of the final reaction mixture can be measured up to two hours after the addition of the Stop Solution.
However, good laboratory practice dictates that the measurement be made as soon as possible.

RESULTS
1. Subtract the average background value from the test values for each sample.
2. Using the results observed for the calibrators construct a calibration curve. The appropriate curve fit is that of a fourparameter logistics curve. A second order polynomial (quadratic) or other curve fits may also be used.
3. Interpolate test sample values from the calibration curve. Correct for sample dilution factor to arrive at transferrin
concentration in original sample.

QUALITY CONTROLIn accord with good laboratory practice, the assays for specific transferrin require meticulous quality control. Eachlaboratory should use routine quality control procedures to establish inter- and intra-assay precision and performance
characteristics.

LIMITATION OF THE PROCEDURE
1. Reliable and reproducible results will be obtained when the assay procedure is carried out with a complete
understanding of the information contained in the package insert instructions and with adherence to good laboratory
practice.
2. Factors that might affect the performance of the assay include proper instrument function, cleanliness of glassware,
quality of distilled or de-ionized water, and accuracy of reagent and sample pipettings, washing technique, incubation
time or temperature.

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY

KAMIYA BIOMEDICAL COMPANY
12779 Gateway Drive, Seattle, WA 98168
Tel: (206) 575-8068 Fax: (206) 575-8094
Email: LifeScience@k-assay.com
www.k-assay.com

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